Abstract
A species' spatial ecology has direct implications for that species' conservation. Far-ranging species may be more difficult to conserve because their movements increase their chances of encountering humans. The movements can take them out of protected areas, which is especially risky for species that are routinely persecuted. The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), a large venomous elapid, is subject to anthropogenic pressures, such as persecution and habitat loss. Here we present results from a study using radio telemetry to quantify movements and habitat use of nine king cobras in and around a protected area in Northeast Thailand. This study is the first investigation into the movements and habitat use of king cobras outside of the Western Ghats, India. On average, the tracked king cobra's use areas of 493.42 ± 335.60 ha (95% fixed kernel), moving 183.24 ± 82.63 m per day. King cobras did not remain in intact forested area. Five of the individuals frequently used the human-dominated agricultural areas surrounding the protected area, appearing to make regular use of irrigation canals. Two adult males showed increases in movements during the breeding season. One male's increased breeding season range caused him to venture beyond the protected area, shifting his habitat use from intact forests to scrub in human-dominated areas. King cobras' large home range and willingness to use anthropogenic landscapes merits special consideration from conservation planners.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 163-178 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Amphibia Reptilia |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
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Keywords
- Elapidae
- Home range
- Movement
- Protected area
- Radio telemetry
- Snake
- Southeast Asia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Animal Science and Zoology
Cite this
Space fit for a king : spatial ecology of king cobras (Ophiophagus hannah) in Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Northeastern Thailand. / Marshall, Benjamin Michael; Strine, Colin Thomas; Jones, Max Dolton; Artchawakom, Taksin; Silva, Ines; Suwanwaree, Pongthep; Goode, Matthew J.
In: Amphibia Reptilia, Vol. 40, No. 2, 01.01.2019, p. 163-178.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Space fit for a king
T2 - spatial ecology of king cobras (Ophiophagus hannah) in Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Northeastern Thailand
AU - Marshall, Benjamin Michael
AU - Strine, Colin Thomas
AU - Jones, Max Dolton
AU - Artchawakom, Taksin
AU - Silva, Ines
AU - Suwanwaree, Pongthep
AU - Goode, Matthew J
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - A species' spatial ecology has direct implications for that species' conservation. Far-ranging species may be more difficult to conserve because their movements increase their chances of encountering humans. The movements can take them out of protected areas, which is especially risky for species that are routinely persecuted. The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), a large venomous elapid, is subject to anthropogenic pressures, such as persecution and habitat loss. Here we present results from a study using radio telemetry to quantify movements and habitat use of nine king cobras in and around a protected area in Northeast Thailand. This study is the first investigation into the movements and habitat use of king cobras outside of the Western Ghats, India. On average, the tracked king cobra's use areas of 493.42 ± 335.60 ha (95% fixed kernel), moving 183.24 ± 82.63 m per day. King cobras did not remain in intact forested area. Five of the individuals frequently used the human-dominated agricultural areas surrounding the protected area, appearing to make regular use of irrigation canals. Two adult males showed increases in movements during the breeding season. One male's increased breeding season range caused him to venture beyond the protected area, shifting his habitat use from intact forests to scrub in human-dominated areas. King cobras' large home range and willingness to use anthropogenic landscapes merits special consideration from conservation planners.
AB - A species' spatial ecology has direct implications for that species' conservation. Far-ranging species may be more difficult to conserve because their movements increase their chances of encountering humans. The movements can take them out of protected areas, which is especially risky for species that are routinely persecuted. The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), a large venomous elapid, is subject to anthropogenic pressures, such as persecution and habitat loss. Here we present results from a study using radio telemetry to quantify movements and habitat use of nine king cobras in and around a protected area in Northeast Thailand. This study is the first investigation into the movements and habitat use of king cobras outside of the Western Ghats, India. On average, the tracked king cobra's use areas of 493.42 ± 335.60 ha (95% fixed kernel), moving 183.24 ± 82.63 m per day. King cobras did not remain in intact forested area. Five of the individuals frequently used the human-dominated agricultural areas surrounding the protected area, appearing to make regular use of irrigation canals. Two adult males showed increases in movements during the breeding season. One male's increased breeding season range caused him to venture beyond the protected area, shifting his habitat use from intact forests to scrub in human-dominated areas. King cobras' large home range and willingness to use anthropogenic landscapes merits special consideration from conservation planners.
KW - Elapidae
KW - Home range
KW - Movement
KW - Protected area
KW - Radio telemetry
KW - Snake
KW - Southeast Asia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85066132353&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85066132353&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1163/15685381-18000008
DO - 10.1163/15685381-18000008
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85066132353
VL - 40
SP - 163
EP - 178
JO - Amphibia - Reptilia
JF - Amphibia - Reptilia
SN - 0173-5373
IS - 2
ER -